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BCSD scores on ACT dip slightly, still above state average

Greg Eckstrom

Editor

The class of 2013 for the Boone Community School District saw overall ACT composite scores drop from graduates in the class of 2012, but still had composite scores higher than the state average – which are second-highest in the country for states that use the ACT.

The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests of educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science designed to measure the skills needed for success in first year college coursework. According to scores released by the Boone Community School District, for the graduation year of 2013, students in the district had an average composite score of 22.2 – above the state average of 22.1.

That 22.1 state average tied with Wisconsin for the second-highest composite score out of states that tested more than half of students in the class of 2013 on the ACT.

Boone’s composite score of 22.2 fell from 2012, however, where the score was 22.8 and the state average remained at 22.1. Going year-by-year, the district’s composite score was 22.8 in 2012 (22.1 state); 22.9 in 2011 (22.3 state); 22.8 in 2010 (22.2 state); and 22.6 in 2009 (22.4 state).

The district saw declines from 2012 to 2013 in all four categories – English (22.4 to 22.1); mathematics (22.0 to 21.4); reading (23.5 to 22.3); and science (22.7 to 22.4), however in each of these categories, the average also fell or stayed the same for state averages, as well.

In addition to providing average scores, ACT also has a college readiness benchmark it compares districts around the state with to see if students are leaving high school prepared for college. The benchmark – which is used to predict success in college English composition, algebra, social science and biology classes – calls for scores of 18 on the ACT English test, 22 on the ACT mathematics test, 22 on the ACT reading test and 23 on the ACT science test.

In the district, 29 percent of those tested in the class of 2013 met all four benchmarks. Going by each section, 79 percent were considered ready for college English composition; 46 percent for college algebra; 51 percent for college social science; and 45 percent for college biology.

Looking at sample size, in a year in which statewide less students took the ACT, in the Boone Community School District, the number increased – from 82 in 2012 to 92 in 2013. That is the highest number of Boone students that have taken the test since 2009, when 104 took the ACT.